Ma'an Governorate: The Open Museum of Civilizations and Jordan's Largest Province

About Ma’an Governorate

• Ma'an (Arabic: مَعان, romanized: Maʿān) is a city in southern Jordan, 218 kilometres (135 mi) southwest of the capital Amman. It serves as the capital of the Ma'an Governorate. This governorate is the largest in the kingdom of Jordan by area. Civilizations with the name of Ma'an have existed at least since the Nabatean period—the modern city is just northwest of the ancient town. The city is an important transport hub situated on the ancient King's Highway and also on the modern Desert Highway.
• Although Ma'an Governorate has the largest area of the 12 governorates that constitute the Kingdom of Jordan, it has the lowest population density: less than 4 persons per square km. It has international borders with Saudi Arabia from the east and south, and borders Aqaba, Tafilah, and Karak governorates from the west, and Amman Governorate from the north.

Geographical location

• Ma'an Kasbah Brigade, Petra Brigade, Shobak Brigade, and Al-Husseiniya Brigade

Cities, towns, and villages

Climate

Treasures of Ma'an: Historical and Archaeological Sites

Ma'an city, with its vast governorate, is a gateway to the depths of Jordanian history, where the Nabataean, Roman, Islamic, and Hashemite civilizations converge. Here are the most prominent archaeological sites and landmarks in the region:

Jordanian Cuisine: Popular Dishes (Focusing on Ma'an/Southern Foods)

• Mansaf (المنسف): Mansaf is considered the national dish in Jordan. It is known in all regions without exception. It is served on occasions such as wedding banquets, holidays, and at funeral tables as well.
• Makmoura: is a renowned, traditional dish highly specific to the cuisine of Northern Jordan (Irbid and Ajloun Governorates). It is essentially a thick, layered pie baked for several hours. It consists of layers of rich dough enclosing copious amounts of onions, chicken pieces, and high-quality olive oil. It is considered a festive and warming winter feast dish.
• Kibbeh or kebab: It is one of the dishes that is prepared in all regions, as its spread extended from the villages north of Irbid, such as the villages of Bani Kenana.
• Al-Mutabbaq (Mutabbaq): It is known as one of the good dishes in the villages of Al-Taybeh and Al-Wasatiya Districts, and it is smaller than Al-Makmoura.
• Maqluba/Magluba (مقلوبة): A casserole made of layers of rice, vegetables and meat. After cooking, the pot is flipped upside-down onto the plate when served, hence the name maqluba which translates literally as "upside-down".
• Musakhan (مسخّن): Dish composed of roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread. It is also known as muhammar (Arabic: محمر).
• Maftul (مفتول): Large couscous-like balls, garbanzo beans and chicken pieces cooked in chicken broth.
• aldafin Freekeh (فريكة)
• Al-Ja'ajeel (Kaakil or Shaashil): This is a unique traditional dish specific to Northern Jordan (Irbid region), although shared popular dishes exist across all Jordanian governorates.
• Ādhān al-Shāyib (آذان الشايب): (meaning "Old Man’s Ears"), also known as Shishbarak or Shushbarak (and occasionally as "Ādhān Qiṭāṭ" in parts of Southern Jordan), is a renowned dish across the Levant, particularly in Jordan (specifically Northern Jordan), Syria, Northern Saudi Arabia, the Hejaz, Central Asia, the Southern Caucasus, and the wider Middle East. Its origins are traced back to Uzbekistan (where similar dishes are known as Jushpara or Manti). The dish consists of small dough parcels filled with seasoned minced lamb and meticulously folded to resemble a human ear.

Starters and Common Traditional Meals in Ma'an

• Galayet bandora (قلاية بندورة): Tomatoes sauteed and stewed with onions, olive oil, salt, and hot peppers, it can be served with rice but is more commonly eaten with bread in Jordan,It is indispensable for all classes of people in all governorates.
• Falafel (فلافل): Balls of fried chickpea flour and Middle Eastern spice. Dipped in every mezze, especially hummus. The Jordanian falafel balls tend to come in smaller sizes.
• Hummus, Ful medames (حمص وفول مدمس): These are foods usually served for breakfast, especially on Fridays. They are also served as appetizers for lunch and dinner.

Distinctive Dishes of Ma'an and the South (مطبخ معان)

• Al-Ruzz Al-Hamed (Sour Rice): A dish characterized by rice cooked with a generous amount of caramelized or fried onions and clarified butter (Samen Baladi). It is typically served during major holidays and special occasions.

• Al-Mujallalah (or Al-Mutabbaq): A dish made from a special kind of bread (Mujallalah bread) that is finely mashed. It is cooked in two main variations: either with clarified butter and tomatoes or with clarified butter and dried yogurt (Jameed Baladi). It is often served alongside Al-Ruzz Al-Hamed.

• Al-Zarb is a renowned heritage dish of the Jordanian Badia (Desert) and Southern Jordan, particularly in regions like Ma'an and Wadi Rum. It is not merely a meal, but an ancient Bedouin cooking technique where meat and vegetables are prepared underground in a buried pit containing hot coals, resulting in a uniquely delicious, tender dish with a distinctive smoky flavor.

Sweets

• Baklava (بقلاوة)—a dessert made with thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey or syrup.
• Knafeh (كُنافة)—a cheese pastry of shredded phyllo soaked in sugar-based syrup.
• Qatayef (قطايف)—a sweet dumpling stuffed with cream and pistachios. Consumed during Ramadan.
• Warbat (وربات)—a pastry of thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with custard. Often eaten during the month of Ramadan.

Area and Population of Ma'an Governorate

Ma'an Governorate is the largest governorate in Jordan by area, yet it has the lowest population density due to its vast desert terrain.

• Ma'an Governorate (Total):
  • Approximate Area: About 32,832 km² (12,677 sq mi).
  • Area Percentage of Jordan: Constitutes approximately 37% of the Kingdom's total area.
  • Approximate Population: About 187,600 inhabitants (based on recent estimates).
  • Note: It has the lowest population density in Jordan (less than 6 persons/km²).
• Ma'an City (Governorate Center):
  • Approximate Area: About 7.5 km² (2.9 sq mi).
  • Approximate Population: About 50,350 inhabitants (based on recent estimates).
  • Note: A significant portion of the governorate's population is concentrated in the city of Ma'an and its immediate surrounding district.